Review 713: Dune Part Two

  

With Dune: Part Two, Denis Villeneuve has done the impossible, transition an unfilmable novel to the Big screen.

Adapting the second half of Dune by Frank Herbert, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) goes on a mythical journey to unite Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Whereas the first Dune film was contemplative, Part Two is an action-packed, epic war movie. This is a war for control of Arrakis. That's not to say the film is not without its more "contemplative" moments. The first hour of the film focuses on Paul getting to know the ways of the Fremen and gaining their trust akin to Kevin Costner in Dances with Wolves or Sam Worthington's Jake Sully in James Cameron's Avatar though in fairness Dune came first.

The emotional core of the film is the relationship between Paul and Chani. Despite the intense circumstances, these are just two young people who want to grow up and fall in love. They're both from two different planets and cultures.

There are themes of power and fanaticism throughout Dune: Part Two

The relationship between Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) also gets a lot of focus  As they learn more about the Fremen's history and their culture, they threaten not to lead them so much as take over them.

the score by Hans Zimmer is  the cinematography is gorgeous, the scenery is breathtaking, the make up is rich and beautifully detailed.

Once again, Denis Villeneuve has assembled a simply fantastic cast. Not only do Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Rampling, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem return, but there are some  newcomers Florence Pugh, Austin "Elvis" Butler, Lea Seydoux, Souheila Yacoub and Christopher Walken.

Throughout the film, we see Paul embark on a dark Hero's Journey

Princess Irulan is the daughter of Emperor Shaddam IV of the Universe. She's beautiful, confident and intelligent. She wonders if Paul could still be alive. Irulan serves as a sort of unofficial narrator. 

Feyd-Rautha is the nephew of Baron Vladimir and Beast Rabban's brother. Whereas Beast is dumb, Feyd is smart, scheming, ruthless, charasmatic narcissistic, strategic and cruel. He's like a cross between a sexy rockstar and a pychotic serial killer.